Veins of Elysium: The Ruined Soul

Chapter~22 | Secret Escape

BAANI'S P.O.V

I stared out of the car window, watching the chaotic streets of Mumbai blur by, my mind racing faster than the traffic. It had only been about an hour since I left the place where Aryaman had kept me locked up. I wasn't exactly sure where it had been, but it had to be somewhere in Mumbai. The familiarity of the streets leading to my grandparents' house made me feel a mix of relief and anxiety.

I needed them now more than ever.

They had already suffered so much because of me, and the weight of my guilt was almost unbearable. I felt utterly ashamed for dragging them into Aryaman's twisted games. My defiance had cost them so much, and in the process, I had lost my own pride and spirit too. The memory of Aryaman's cruelty from the day before was still fresh and painful, and no amount of time would make it disappear.

I had been stubborn, and that stubbornness had led him to humiliate and degrade me in ways I couldn't even begin to erase.

When the car finally pulled up to the gates of my grandparents' house, all I wanted was to rush inside and hold them tight. But the driver was still sitting there, not leaving. I approached him with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

"Do you need something, Mister?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

"No, ma'am, nothing. Actually, Sir told us to keep you under watch so you don't leave until he picks you up later. There'll be full security outside, so you get... what I mean?"

I just nodded, frustration boiling inside me. Aryaman had truly lost his mind. What an absolute jerk!

As soon as I reached the front door, Nani swung it open. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw me, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I burst into tears, sobbing like a child as she wrapped her arms around me.

Nanu came over and patted my head, his gentle touch a comfort amidst the storm of my emotions. I could barely see through my tears, but I could feel his comforting presence as he pulled me into his embrace after Nani. This moment of comfort was all I needed right now.

"I'm so sorry, Nani and Nanu," I managed to choke out between sobs. "Because of me, you ended up in jail. I'm really sorry... sorry..."

"What are you talking about, my little child? It's not your fault. It was just a misunderstanding, and it's over now. Look, we're all together again, so don't cry."

"No, Nanu, it's me. I was stubborn and made you suffer like this. I'm so sorry."

Nani spoke up this time, "What are you saying, dear? What stubbornness? Just stop... It's not your fault. Someone wanted to ruin our reputation and made up a fake story about us being criminals. It wasn't you, Baani. We stood our ground, and we're out of this silly case. So don't blame yourself."

"No, Nani. You don't understand. I... I can't... It was because of me... I'm so..."

"Stop, Baani. If anyone should apologize, it's us. We left you alone in that hotel room, unconscious. When you fainted, we wanted to take you to the hospital, but then the police showed up and said we needed to be in their custody for an investigation. We tried to get them to let us take you to the hospital first, but they refused. They said they'd send you there. Your Nani protested, but they were insistent. We saw an ambulance arriving and felt a bit relieved that you'd be taken to the hospital. After that, they wouldn't let us go see you. Once the fake drama was over, we got a call saying you were at the Goa private health center and would soon be sent to our house with the medical team. And now you're here. I'm just so happy and relieved that you're okay. I was so scared."

"No, Nanu, you did your best to help me. Stop blaming yourself," I told him, still sobbing.

"We'll stop, Baani. And you need to stop blaming yourself too," Naani said, gently rubbing my back.